Sept. 4, 2010
Final Stats | Gamebook in PDF Format 
| Notes | Postgame Interview
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2010 Minerpalooza Gallery by IPA Photo Gallery by Michael Reese | Photo Gallery by Ivan Pierre Aguirre
EL PASO -Joe Banyard rushed 19 times for 94 yards in relief of the injured Donald Buckram, as UTEP kicked off the 2010 season with a 31-10 rout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday night in the Sun Bowl.
The Miners pulled away from a slim 14-10 lead at the half, outgaining the Golden Lions 245-73 in total yards after the break.
UTEP piled up 463 yards of offense on the day, as Trevor Vittatoe completed 17-of-27 passes for 229 yards in his 37th consecutive start at quarterback. Vernon Frazier rushed six times for a personal best 89 yards as the Miners carved out 234 yards on the ground.
After the teams traded touchdowns to open the game, Banyard gave the Miners the lead for good on a one-yard scoring run early in the second quarter. After UAPB drew to within four points at the intermission, UTEP put together scoring drives of 66 and 62 yards in the third period to put the game out of reach.
The UTEP defense received interceptions from Braxton Amy and Isaiah Carter, while Bernard Obi, Adam Ayala and Ruben Munoz each etched their names into the sack column. Amy's interception was the 10th of his career and his sixth since the start of the 2009 season.
The Miners will open conference play at Houston on Friday at 8:15 p.m. MT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. The Cougars pasted Texas State, 68-28, in their opener on Saturday as Case Keenum threw for 274 yards and five touchdowns.
